Columbus Commuters
in Ohios largest cities will see increased law enforcement on
congested, high-crash freeways beginning today, and running through
November 17, as state officials continue their focused efforts to
reduce injuries and fatalities on Ohio roadways.

OhioSafe Commute, sponsored by the Ohio Department of
Transportation (ODOT), the Ohio Department of the Public Safety (ODPS),
and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, places troopers and police officers
on Ohios busiest roadways. Law enforcement agencies are stationed in
these high-crash corridors to enforce safer speeds and clear crashes
quickly to prevent congestion and additional crashes.

Combined, these areas accounted for approximately 4,500 crashes in
2005. Each year, there are approximately 380,000 crashes that kill
1,300 people and injure 190,000 people in Ohio.

In 2005, OhioSafe Commute corridors experienced a decrease
in crashes by up to 25 percent and decreased speeds by up to 7
percent.

"We want to build on OhioSafe Commute past successes to make
metropolitan interstates as safe as possible," Colonel Paul McClellan,
Superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said. "Through
focused enforcement and traffic safety services, along with the
commitment from the motoring public to make driving safely a priority,
we can reduce crashes and the associated economic impact of those
crashes, to make everyone's commute safer."

OhioSafe Commute began in 2003 as a $500,000 pilot program
in central Ohio. In 2004, ODOT spent $300,000 to expand the program to
Cincinnati and Cleveland. Last year, ODOT spent $800,000 to target
existing areas and new corridors in Toledo and Dayton. A similar
amount will be spent this year.

OhioSafe Commute is funded by Governor Bob Tafts Jobs and
Progress Plan, which increases funding from $35 million to $65 million
annually to improve high-crash locations.